Assessment of the predictors of comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS among Gambians aged 15-49: Evidences from the demographic and health survey

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Lamin M Ceesay, Chen-Chang Yang, Song-Lih Huang, Pi-Mei Nancy Yen, Edrisa Sanyang and Erin M Reynolds

University of the Gambia, Gambia
National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan
Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan
Western Kentucky University, USA
University of Southern Indiana, USA

: J Virol Antivir Res

Abstract

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The fear and anxiety generated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic plus the widespread prejudice, stigma and discrimination compounded by the low comprehensive knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention has complicated the global efforts to end mankind’s greatest scourge as far as mortality and morbidity from the disease is concern. Poor comprehensive knowledge about HIV and negative attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are key drivers to the spread of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS and investigate the relationship between comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge and acceptance attitudes towards PLWHA among adult aged 15-49 years old in the Gambia. Data from the Gambia’s 2013 demographic and health survey was acquired from ICF International and STATA 13 was used for running the data analysis. Therefore there were two binary dependent variables for this study: 1) Comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge (Yes/No); and 2) Accepting attitudes towards PLWHA (Yes/No). Although there was a general awareness about HIV/AIDS, knowledge on it prevention and transmission is low. However, comprehensive knowledge is the strongest predictor for accepting attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. The effect of education on accepting attitudes towards PLWHA manifested differently among males and females. The predictors of comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDS were age, type of residence, educational, marital status wealth index and prior HIV test. Appropriate strategies should be formulated to increase knowledge on the transmission and prevention of HIV in order for the Gambia to succeed in combating HIV/AIDS and achieve the global 2030 target.

Biography

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E-mail: laminceesay1@gmail.com